Chapter 20
20
APRIL
Sophie and Tom don’t ask questions.
They just welcome me on their yacht and offer me a glass of wine.
Sophie hugs me a little longer than necessary, though, and gushes over my dress.
“That color is divine on you,” she says, eyeing the turquoise maxi dress. “You look incredible!”
I have Devyn to thank for that. We drove to a luxury department store the day before, and I told her to pick out whatever she wanted me to try on. After about ten different outfits, we settled on the halter topped, jewel toned dress. A cashmere cream wrap sits around my shoulders, and wedge sandals finish the look.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
Truth be told, I feel incredible. I know I’m about to see Pack Axton, and in a way, this outfit feels like my armor.
My makeup is spotless, thanks to Devyn, and my hair is styled in loose waves.
I’m ready to face them.
We’re almost on the island when I pull Sophie aside.
“You don’t happen to have any suppressants on you, do you?” I whisper.
I already took the emergency ones from the pharmacy, but my body still tingles and feels warm.
Sophie grins so wide her dimples show. “Of course,” she says as she waggles her eyebrows at me. “Are you… anticipating anything?”
My face flushes. “Just being cautious,” I say.
“No worries. I have some in my purse. Also, the yacht has an entire nesting area, just in case.”
My mouth drops. “Your yacht has what ?”
“Hell yeah, it does.” She winks at me. “Did you think you would be the first person to ever experience a Heat on vacation? We come prepared.”
I stare at Sophie, dumbfounded. “I’ve just never had to anticipate that.”
She fishes out a small bottle from her purse and hands it to me. “I’ve had Heats in the craziest places you can think of and at the most inopportune times. One time at a funeral. You can never be too prepared.”
I laugh in disbelief. “At a funeral ?”
“Yup. At a funeral, one time on an airplane. Oh! And once at the opera, but that’s a long story.”
“Wow. Well, I think I’ll be okay. The suppressants should do the trick.”
Sophie smiles knowingly. “Let’s hope so.”
Or we can just get our brains fucked out on the yacht, my inner Omega volunteers.
Despite the new dose of the suppressants, by the time the boat docks and we’re escorted onto the island, my symptoms are worse.
I can smell all three of them, and my inner Omega loses her mind.
Alphas!
Eucalyptus, pepper, and the essence of the ocean swirl around me, and I have the frightening urge to cry.
I missed them so much.
But I keep it together and say hello to the guests I recognize from the galas, ignoring the instinct to run around the island just to find the pack.
“April?”
Hunter’s voice, low and smooth, stops me in my tracks.
Our eyes meet, and I forget to breathe.
He’s dressed in light grey pants and a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his inked forearms. His dark hair is styled messily, and his gold eyes shine with vulnerability as he gazes at me, his mouth slightly parted.
Like he can’t believe I’m real.
“Hunter,” I breathe.
He swallows, his throat bobbing. For once, he looks unsure, and there’s no sign of playfulness in his eyes, only caution. “Are we still pretending, baby?” he asks softly.
I know what he’s asking.
Are we still putting on a show for everyone?
I shake my head slowly.
“I don’t want to pretend anymore,” I admit, my voice shaky.
I hate how vulnerable I sound.
We’ve moved away from the guests and end up on a wooden walkway that extends out into the ocean, the waves lapping around us.
“Thank fuck,” he whispers, “because neither do I.”
His scent swirls around me, and I take a step closer to him.
“Hunter—”
“I’m sorry, baby,” he murmurs, cradling my face in his hands. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“I know,” I whisper.
“No, baby,” his voice is rough. “I’ll never stop being sorry. Ever. It won’t ever be enough. I’m sorry I signed the contract. I’m sorry I didn’t just tell you that you were the right choice for us the moment I met you."
“You couldn’t have known,” I say. “I wasn’t in the right headspace for a relationship. Hunter, I still don’t know if I am. What if this—” I motion to myself with my hands, “—is all I can give you?”
He chuckles and presses his forehead to mine. “Silly girl,” he murmurs. “That’s all I fucking need. That’s all we need.”
Then he kisses me.
It’s chaste and sweet, just a simple brushing of lips, but my body ignites. I clutch at him desperately, like I haven’t seen him in years.
“I should have told you a long time ago,” he breathes against my lips. “And I’m not waiting to say it anymore.”
My eyes widen.
“I love you, April Waters. I have since the moment you walked into my packhouse.”
The words slam into my heart and leave me speechless.
Hunter… loves me.
His scent is spicy and delicious, and my womb throbs in need at his declaration.
And suddenly, I know those suppressants that Sophie gave me won’t be enough.
Hunter’s words have officially triggered my Heat.
“Oh, fuck,” he hisses, as I whimper in his hold. “Is it coming here ?”
“Yup,” I grit out. “My Heat is starting at your ex’s wedding. Sorry about that.”
His grin is positively sinful. “No, you’re not, baby. And that’s what I love about you.”
I chuckle weakly. “Is that all?”
He kisses me again, and I hum against his lips in satisfaction. “Also, that you’re brilliant, and the best damn baker I’ve ever met. You know I get hard when I eat your cookies, right?”
I turn away and burst out laughing despite the pain in my stomach. “Of course you do, you fucking weirdo.”
“I also get hard when I eat you ,” he murmurs. “And that’s what I intend to do.”
I whimper. “Not…here,” I stammer. “Not until after the ceremony, and not until I talk to the others.”
“Maybe I want you to myself,” he growls, running a hand down my neck and stopping at my mating gland. “No one else has to know.”
“Sorry, Hunter, but I would have a problem with that.”
Another voice joins our conversation, and I turn to see Liam watching us, a soft smile on his face. The wind blows his minty, earthy scent toward me, and I want to sob when I see him. His outfit is similar to Donovan’s, with the white shirt and light pants, but his dirty-blonde hair is slicked back and polished.
I move out of Hunter’s embrace and throw myself into Liam’s arms.
It feels like I’m in some cheesy romantic comedy. I can’t help but smile as I bury my face in his neck and breathe him in, using his Alpha scent to ground me.
“Don’t forgive us that easily,” he whispers shakily in my ear. “I…April…please don’t. Let us show you how sorry we are. Let me show you how much I love you.”
My heart swells at his words.
I forgave Liam the moment I saw him.
“I believe you,” I whisper as his arms wrap around me tightly. “It’s okay, Liam.”
I’m grateful we’re far away from the wedding crowd. I wouldn’t want to deal with the weird looks the guests would give us, even if Sophie would understand.
The wind picks up again, and the scent of the ocean hits me, but this time it’s amplified.
“There’s only one person you need to forgive.”
Stepping out of Liam’s embrace, I turn and meet the icy, gorgeous eyes of Donovan.